This fall, Boston University students submitted proposals for how BU could address wellbeing challenges across campus—from financial stress and social isolation to physical health and academic pressure. Through the new Wellbeing Innovation Seed Grant program, a partnership between BU Student Wellbeing and Innovate@BU, 15 students have been selected to receive $500 and mentorship to launch their projects and create real change in how we support student wellbeing at BU.
“We are beyond excited to partner with Innovate@BU through this new format,” says Pedro Falci, Managing Director of BU Student Wellbeing. “It’s been wonderful to tap into students’ unique and novel ideas for growing a culture of wellbeing at BU.”
These student-led initiatives span all seven dimensions of the Wellbeing Framework and reflect the creativity, empathy, and problem-solving skills of the BU community.
Here are this year’s recipients:
Benjamin Brosnahan (CAS’27)
Benjamin’s Automated Financial Wellness App utilizes AI to handle budgeting, bill payments, and savings for students while providing culturally responsive financial education. The mobile platform aims to reduce financial stress and close the wealth gap by automating money management rather than requiring students to prioritize it over their studies and other commitments.
Sophia Chen (SPH’27)
Sophia’s Social Prescribing AI Platform matches BU students with peers, mentors, and groups based on shared interests and wellbeing needs to combat loneliness. She has a working prototype and plans to partner with the Student Activities Office to implement a “campus compass” system.
Tanya Chhabra (Questrom’26)
Tanya is building Chakra Sync, a program that teaches BU students to use ancient Indian chakra science—including breathwork, meditation, and visualization—to manage stress and enhance focus through energy alignment. The initiative offers workshops and micro-activation tools that address emotional, physical, spiritual, and intellectual wellbeing dimensions.
Emma Chuo (Questrom’29)
Maker Space Using Recycled Materials is a program that will be used to gather BU’s recycled materials and reprocess them into supplies, tools, games and crafts that better students’ holistic wellbeing, creating a more environmentally & emotionally sustainable college maker space.
Armon Farahani (CAS’28)
Write It Down BU is a journaling program that uses weekly prompts to help students connect personal wellbeing experiences to social justice and advocacy. Student reflections will be compiled into a report to identify barriers and inform campus-wide improvements in wellbeing access.
Leon Han (CAS’29)
Leon’s Fitness for Students App creates realistic workout plans tailored to individual goals, factoring in student schedules.
Siddhi Iyer (Questrom’28)
Letters of Light is a rotating pop-up wall where students can anonymously write and take uplifting notes to spread kindness and connection across campus. The initiative will be installed in locations like the GSU and Mugar Library to provide accessible emotional support through peer-to-peer encouragement.
Josh Jana (Questrom’27)
Midnight Mode is a system of visual prompts and QR-linked resources placed in dorm study areas to help students adopt healthier habits during late-night study sessions and exam periods. The project addresses gaps in awareness of existing wellbeing resources by delivering condensed guidance on sleep, nutrition, caffeine use, and stress management directly in the spaces where students study.
Mya Kelly (CAS’27)
Mya is building a Financial Wellness Hub Course that will teach students practical money management skills through case studies, games, and workshops. The psychology major aims to address the financial strain and mental health impacts that college students face due to education costs and student loans.
Sophia Lorenz (CAS’28)
Redefining Wellness is a media framework of campus-wide educational materials featuring interviews with disabled and chronically ill BU students about their personalized approaches to staying healthy. The project will distribute pamphlets and graphics through Student Health Services, BU Buses, and campus buildings, with plans to expand to Boston Medical Center and potentially Boston Children’s Hospital.
Sathvika Mallavarapu (Questrom’26)
$5 Meal Lab is a weekly peer-led cooking circle where students learn to make healthy meals using BU Food Pantry ingredients. The program addresses food insecurity by teaching students to transform available pantry staples into nutritious meals while building cooking confidence and community connections.
Thao Nguyen (Questrom’26)
RoomSync helps BU students manage shared households while building real community through a neighbor-to-neighbor food sharing network. Less waste, less stress, more connection.
Sophia Parma (CAS’28)
Sophia is developing Wellbeing Circles: Unplug to Reconnect, a program that will offer weekly peer circles, kindness challenges, and creative activities to help BU students combat loneliness and build authentic friendships. The initiative addresses the gap between online connection and meaningful social bonds through low-pressure, action-oriented gatherings.
Parastoo Shafiei (CFA’29)
Active Meditation Through Music is a 10-minute musical ear training game that requires focused listening to displace anxious thoughts and prepare students for sleep. The program will be available as audio tracks, a potential mobile app, or through physical listening stations on campus.
Yurou Wang (CAS’29)
MoveMinute @ BU is a QR code-based initiative that delivers 1-2 minute desk exercises to students in study spaces across campus. The project uses posters and digital guides to help students combat stiffness and fatigue during long study sessions with quick, accessible movement breaks.
